I have a previous post on this offer but have just seen it advertised on TV again last night with the offer running out on 8th October 08'.
So to recap:
Hurry and get an extra discount on your fuel at Sainsbury's
"Spend £50 and get a discount of 5p a litre off your fuel at Sainsbury's petrol stations"
Use your BaBeeCard to buy the Sainsbury's vouchers at a 5% discount, you would actually be spending £47.50 and recieving the petrol vouchers to get the 5p off discount as well.
Monday 29 September 2008
Wednesday 17 September 2008
Babies - they don't come cheap!
Babies, babies, babies!! so cute, so innocent........so expensive!!
Making the decision to have your first baby or another baby can be an incredibly tough and emotional choice. Given the current economic climate we find ourselves in today you have to wonder if there will ever be a right time.
My wedding is in four weeks and with a 14 month old son it seems like the perfect time to think about adding to our brood. That is, until I think about how much it is going to cost. Not to mention the daily drama of a bossy toddler and a newborn. Cripes!
I feel like I am stuck in Groundhog Day, the same question and thought pattern keeps repeating itself "When is the right time for us to have another baby?"
This year? next year? when I am fitter? when I have caught up on my sleep? when my son has stopped having tantrums? when my fiance has stopped making me have tantrums? or the biggest one of all, when our finances are in better shape?
I have found it's my expectation of myself as a parent to provide the latest equipment, fashionable clothes and brand new whizz-she-bang toys that adds to my own financial pressure and worry for the future. Have you ever heard a baby complain about wearing a second hand romper suit? or show their disappointment at having to clap along to an elder siblings bouncing toy? No, thought not.
If you are in a similar predicament to me, mentally toing and froing about when and if to take that special leap forward in having a baby then my checklist below may help you just a little.
Household income
With rising costs and your income taking a dip during maternity leave it is important to work out where your main source of income will come from. Pregnancy is a stressful time so it is important to have reassurance that you can cover your monthly bills.
Tip: Emergency fund
If possible, try to set aside 3 months’ salary as an emergency fund.
Baby basics
Recent research suggests that the true cost of bringing up baby could run to approx. £186,000 from birth to the tender age of 21.
If your baby is your first then you will have the extra cost of preparing for the first time, cots, car seats, prams etc all add up.
Try to shop around for the best prices although buying more expensive items doesn't necessarily mean they are better quality.
Outgoings
We all have our little luxuries here and there and they add up over time. As life little luxuries can be hard to give up, being pregnant should help you cut back on them without you noticing a huge difference.
Keeping a financial diary is a good way to see where your money is going each month. Do you buy lunch every day at work? why not make your own instead? Not only will it work out cheaper but you can cater for your cravings (however bizzare they may be) and also control exactly what goes into your meal.
Childcare costs
Many mothers decide to return to work so it is essential you factor in childcare costs into your monthly outgoings. For some, family members may live close by and can help out with childcare but for others, your location and the age of the child can all effect cost.
Childcare vouchers schemes
http://www.childcarevouchers.co.uk/
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare/
http://www.busybeesvouchers.com/
Perhaps you could negotiate working from home with your employee helping you to cut your childcare and travel costs?
Useful gifts
Depending on whether you choose to breastfeed or bottlefeed, there are a huge range of helpful gifts friends and family can buy you to help you through the first six months. Instead of your usual baby grows, blankets, mittens, hats, cuddly toys etc perhaps you could ask for a baby bath and toiletries, 3 months worth of baby milk or 3 months supply of nappies and wipes? These items really add to your monthly shopping bill so it’s a great way to keep your monthly costs down.
I tend to buy my baby milk, nappies and other baby essentials with my discounted supermarket vouchers, you occassionally get some good BOGOF deals on wipes and baby food which you can never ever, ever have enough of.
Making the decision to have your first baby or another baby can be an incredibly tough and emotional choice. Given the current economic climate we find ourselves in today you have to wonder if there will ever be a right time.
My wedding is in four weeks and with a 14 month old son it seems like the perfect time to think about adding to our brood. That is, until I think about how much it is going to cost. Not to mention the daily drama of a bossy toddler and a newborn. Cripes!
I feel like I am stuck in Groundhog Day, the same question and thought pattern keeps repeating itself "When is the right time for us to have another baby?"
This year? next year? when I am fitter? when I have caught up on my sleep? when my son has stopped having tantrums? when my fiance has stopped making me have tantrums? or the biggest one of all, when our finances are in better shape?
I have found it's my expectation of myself as a parent to provide the latest equipment, fashionable clothes and brand new whizz-she-bang toys that adds to my own financial pressure and worry for the future. Have you ever heard a baby complain about wearing a second hand romper suit? or show their disappointment at having to clap along to an elder siblings bouncing toy? No, thought not.
If you are in a similar predicament to me, mentally toing and froing about when and if to take that special leap forward in having a baby then my checklist below may help you just a little.
Household income
With rising costs and your income taking a dip during maternity leave it is important to work out where your main source of income will come from. Pregnancy is a stressful time so it is important to have reassurance that you can cover your monthly bills.
Tip: Emergency fund
If possible, try to set aside 3 months’ salary as an emergency fund.
Baby basics
Recent research suggests that the true cost of bringing up baby could run to approx. £186,000 from birth to the tender age of 21.
If your baby is your first then you will have the extra cost of preparing for the first time, cots, car seats, prams etc all add up.
Try to shop around for the best prices although buying more expensive items doesn't necessarily mean they are better quality.
Outgoings
We all have our little luxuries here and there and they add up over time. As life little luxuries can be hard to give up, being pregnant should help you cut back on them without you noticing a huge difference.
Keeping a financial diary is a good way to see where your money is going each month. Do you buy lunch every day at work? why not make your own instead? Not only will it work out cheaper but you can cater for your cravings (however bizzare they may be) and also control exactly what goes into your meal.
Childcare costs
Many mothers decide to return to work so it is essential you factor in childcare costs into your monthly outgoings. For some, family members may live close by and can help out with childcare but for others, your location and the age of the child can all effect cost.
Childcare vouchers schemes
http://www.childcarevouchers.co.uk/
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare/
http://www.busybeesvouchers.com/
Perhaps you could negotiate working from home with your employee helping you to cut your childcare and travel costs?
Useful gifts
Depending on whether you choose to breastfeed or bottlefeed, there are a huge range of helpful gifts friends and family can buy you to help you through the first six months. Instead of your usual baby grows, blankets, mittens, hats, cuddly toys etc perhaps you could ask for a baby bath and toiletries, 3 months worth of baby milk or 3 months supply of nappies and wipes? These items really add to your monthly shopping bill so it’s a great way to keep your monthly costs down.
I tend to buy my baby milk, nappies and other baby essentials with my discounted supermarket vouchers, you occassionally get some good BOGOF deals on wipes and baby food which you can never ever, ever have enough of.
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